Street in west Belfast off Glenalina Road, named from the older locality of Glenalina or Glennalina. The area is recorded on the Ordnance Survey maps of 1832–46 as Glennalina Bleach Green, reflecting its early association with linen bleaching and finishing. According to Dean, there was a gate lodge at Glenalina Mill before 1832 and the house belonged to William Orr; burial records from Clifton Street Cemetery indicate that Orr died in 1853. The Belfast News-Letter of 29 April 1836 refers to Glennalina, Falls in connection with linen finishing, while Martin’s Belfast Directory (1842–43) lists William Orr & Son as linen manufacturers, bleachers and mill operators at Glennalina. Modern place-name research derives the name from Irish Gleann an Léana (“glen of the meadow”) or possibly Gleann dá Léana (“glen of two meadows”), referring to the low-lying meadowland beside the Ballymurphy River. In 1912 Belfast Corporation purchased part of the Glenalina lands from Henry Patterson for an extension to Belfast City Cemetery; the burial ground opened in 1915 and retained the historic local name.
“Further to minute of 3rd October last the Deputy City surveyor submitted an application from the Estate superintendent requesting this committee to approve of the under noted names for new throughfares on Corporation property situated off Whiterock Road and Springfield Rd: Ballymurphy Road, Ballymurphy Crescent, Ballymurphy Parade, Whitecliff Crescent, Whitecliff Parade, Whitecliff Drive, Glenalina Green, Glenalina Pass, Glenalina Road, Glenalina Crescent, Glenalina Gardens, Divismore Crescent, Westhill Way, Rock Grove, Westview Pass. On the recommendation of the deputy city surveyor, the committee approved of the names as outlined above”. (14 Nov. 1950).
Sources:
Ordnance Survey maps (1832–46).
Belfast News-Letter, 29 Apr. 1836.
Martin’s Belfast Directory (1842–43).
Northern Ireland Place-Name Project, Glenalina Road entry.
Belfast Corporation Street Naming Committee minutes, 14 Nov. 1950.